Vietnam is Southeast Asian country. Known for its natural beauty and abundance of natural attractions such as the vast paddy fields, limestone islands in Halong Bay or the massive cave system in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, the country provides quite an unmatched experience. Hanoi, the capital, pays homage to the nation’s iconic Communist-era leader, Ho Chi Minh, via a huge marble mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has French colonial landmarks, plus Vietnamese War history museums and the Củ Chi tunnels, used by Viet Cong soldiers.
DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL – CITY TOUR
On arrival , the driver will pick you up at Noi Bai airport and transfer to downtown . You will be picked up at around 0745 hrs - 0830 hrs from hotel for city tour .
Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda – the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi built in the 6th century. Visit Ho Chi Minh complex, you have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969. Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Godess of Mercy – It is the most unique padoga in the world. Later , visit one of these - Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam (Tuesdays – Thursdays – Saturdays & Sundays) or Bat Trang ceramíc village to explore the daily life of the local & learn about the process how to make a perfect product (Mondays – Wednesdays – Fridays)
Have lunch at restaurant. `You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine with 8 delicious dishes. Continue visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11 century. Proceed for Hoan Kiem Lake to visit Ngoc Son Temple, which honors General Tran Hung Dao in 13th certury.
Return to hotel
Meal: Lunch
Overnight stay at hotel in Hanoi
DAY 2: HANOI – HA LONG OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE
The tour guide will pick up in the morning and transfer to Ha Long bay, which is about 160 km or 2.5-hour drive away. Stop half way to visit a handicraft workshop of fine clothes and embroidered paintings.
Arrive in Ha Long City at 11:30 AM and check in aboard the booked junk right after the welcome drink is served. Start cruising while having lunch on board and enjoy the mighty bay view. Ha Long Bay meaning Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holly dragon landed down from sky. The bay cruise will continue with up close sighting of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, a visit to Sung Sot Cave and swimming stop at Titov Beach. Relax to enjoy the bay view at sunset, have dinner after, go fishing at 09:00 PM and spend a night on board.
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Seafood or Pork free)
Overnight on cruise
DAY 3: HA LONG – HANOI – HO CHI MINH
Wake up at 06:30 AM and refresh your body and mind with a Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck. Tai Chi is an ancient internal martial art often practiced in soft and gracefully slow moves to enhance internal harmony and vitality. Have tea and coffee onboard before proceeding to Titov Islet or SoiSim Island to trek and swim. Check out at 09:30, have a buffet brunch while cruising back to shore. Disembark at 11:00 AM to transfer to Hanoi airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh
Arrive at Ho Chi Minh. The tour guide will pick up and transfer you to hotel for check in and relax.
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch (Seafood or Pork free)
Overnight stay at hotel in Ho Chi Minh
DAY 4: HOCHIMINH – MEKONG DELTA (MY THO)
Today we take an excursion to My Tho.
Upon arrival, crossing Mekong river by motorized boat, cruising along small creek to Mekong River estuary by row-boat. Motorized boat-ride to Con Phung (Phoenix Island) and stop over a garden restaurant at a local house for Vietnamese lunch
The motorized boat continues cruising along natural creeks and quiet village in Ben Tre Province. Visit orchards, bee-keeping farm, taste natural honey and honey wine, enjoy tropical fruit, traditional music, see round a distillery, explore the local coconut candy production process, taste candy & coconut pulp. Back to Saigon.
Meals: Breakfast , Lunch
Overnight stay at hotel in Ho Chi Minh
DAY 5: HOCHIMINH - CITY TOUR - DEPARTURE
Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars.
Afternoon, transfer to the airport for departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
- Hotels accommodation based on twin, double sharing as mentioned in the program
- Round trip airport transfer in Hanoi & HCM by private transportation without guide
- 1 night stay on board the cruise with return shuttle bus Hanoi – Ha Long - Hanoi
- Meals at local restaurant
- Entrance fees for sightseeing with English Guide
- Full day Hanoi tour with lunch on shared basis
- Full day My Tho tour with lunch on shared basis
- Half day Ho Chi Minh city tour on shared basis
- Mineral water is available as complementary